“Good day,” he greeted the room filled with journalists in a deep voice. And he ended the nearly hour-long press conference with a familiar “do”. Photo: Pravda, Ivan Majerský The new coach of the Slovak national football team, Francesco Calzona. The new coach of the national team, Francesco Calzona, is looking forward to a new challenge. I’m not afraid, I want to do big things. And also the changes we need,” said the short Italian coach to Slovak media. According to the president of the Slovak Football Association, Ján Kováčik, his six-member implementation team will earn 67,000 per month. How do you feel about the new workplace? It will be an honor and with pleasure. It’s a big decision on my part. I’m entering big football. This country has a history. I’m motivated. I’m happy that the association wants to go this way. It wasn’t easy to leave the assistant position in Naples, I had great relationships and cooperation there . After the first meeting and the trip home, I decided that I want to be the coach of Slovakia. Read more Calzona is not a bully, but he can press. Hamšík? Zahra l would be in every rep You were suggested by Marek Hamšík. Did you enjoy it? Marek and I have a wonderful relationship. We worked together for three years. I respect him as a person. I’m glad he recommended me. However, the association chose me, not Hamšík. He only gave a recommendation. Won’t Hamšík return to the national team? I already tried to talk him out of it, but he said no. Have you followed the Slovak team in recent months? It’s not an ideal situation, but that’s why I’m here. I want to help change things for the better. It’s my goal. You are talking about the fact that Slovakia should be ruled with a heavy hand. Is this your style? I want the players to know that they are representing the country. I will be tough on their behavior and discipline. The best solution is cooperation. It means we respect the roles. I don’t want the general to be here, as is usual in war. Players are adults, not children. I want them to suddenly think not of clubs, but of the national team. Is a foreign coach the right choice for Slovaks? Let’s not judge, let’s give him time first 34.3% Absolutely not, he is an unknown name 22.9% No, he has no experience in the position of head coach 22.5% Definitely! We would not find a candidate in Slovakia 10.4% Yes, he will bring a lot of new things to the national team 10.0% What does the Slovak team need to add? He has good players, but some are not playing at 100 percent. There are also many quality young people here – also in the Slovak league. I will use older and younger ones. How will you fight the language barrier? I am glad that many players speak Italian because they play there or have played there in the past. The members of the implementation team speak English, we will also have an interpreter at our disposal. You were an assistant to several leading coaches. What did it give you? It’s a privilege. Sarri, Spaletti and Di Francesco gave me a lot, but there will also be a lot of my work. What kind of game can we expect from your team? I have a label that I got in Italy that I am a defensive specialist. It’s not exactly accurate, I like to play offensive football. I like active football. We will try to play to win and not just draw. Defense is essential. When you don’t have the ball, all eleven defend and attack as well. That’s a clear thing, but our mentality will be more offensive. Do you have Slovak players mapped? I’ve gotten to know them better, especially in the last month. I know most of the players, I also follow the Slovak league. There are a lot of smart players out there. Representation is open to all who are good and deserve nomination. Read more Jokes and vomiting. Calzona fulfills his dream, he pulls a hard hand on Slovaks Will you work more from Italy or will you spend more time in Slovakia? I will travel around Europe and watch the players. I will be in Slovakia often. I come on the weekends and watch the league games. I want to see them live, it’s different than on video. There is no time for mistakes. Do you feel the pressure? The meetings are short, but that’s why the cooperation I mentioned is even more important. We must not lose a minute. I have already called with several players. I could sense determination from them. Which of the lesser-known players caught your eye? I won’t be specific, there won’t be names. I didn’t even tell the union. We kept two, three days for the nomination. Two important matches await the under-21 national team, we will not be able to take players from there. It is a signal of our cooperation with the association and younger national teams. Do you consider it a disadvantage that you have not yet led a team as a head coach? I’m not afraid to be the head coach. I am curious and convinced that success will come. I am not scared. Last year I turned down one offer to be a coach in Serie A. I wanted to stay in Napoli. It was the right decision. Here the situation was different. I immediately had an inkling that this was a great opportunity. I am not the youngest, I have years of experience. Read more OPINION: We hold back expectations. Football is not hockey, Calzona is not Ramsay How was your decision received in Naples? I already have a lot of enemies there… But no, they took it very positively. They wanted me in Napoli, but when I told them I had a difficult week. Gradually they accepted it. Relationships are returning to normal. Will the fact that you recently led the support of Stanislav Lobotka’s national team also help? Lobotka is a great player and person. He doesn’t say much, like Hamšík. I like quiet leaders, both of them are. Sometimes you don’t need to say much. He played excellently in Serie A last year. He hasn’t shown his full potential yet. He will be our pillar. What’s the first thing you do when you get to the national team? Understand who to nominate. Who do we need? The most important thing is that we want to win and be successful right away. Make as few mistakes as possible. And create a new identity for the national team.